The Abu Dhabi Animal Shelter for stray cats and dogs for Abu Dhabi Emirate has been established following the decision of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council of Abu Dhabi government on 15th April 2010.

The Abu Dhabi Executive Council issued in this decision that the Abu Dhabi Animal Shelter will be managed by Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital. The decision was based on a proposal regarding the establishment of an animal shelter for cats and dogs for Abu Dhabi Emirate that had taken into consideration the best international practices for dealing with feral cats and stray dogs in Europe, USA and Australia.

The decision of establishing the first Animal Shelter for Abu Dhabi Emirate underlines the great efforts of the Abu Dhabi government to set a role model for animal welfare on a national, regional and international level.

On June 1st 2010, Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital started to neuter all feral cats and dogs in the so-called TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) program as the only authorized veterinary hospital for the Emirate. The program was set up in 2 phases. Phase 1 was the return of neutered cats in the area where they have been coming from whereas the dogs stayed already in the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital waiting for adoption.

The 2nd phase started after the opening of the Abu Dhabi Animal Shelter catteries and kennels where all homable cats and dogs are being kept for adoption. Cats that cannot be rehomed will be returned back to their original place follow-ing the neutering.

The Abu Dhabi Animal Shelter is located at the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital Site between Abu Dhabi International Airport and Al Shamkha. The treatment of the cats and dogs at the Animal Shelter is provided by the ADFH Pet Care Center.